Description: Trinidad and her tiny sister island of Tobago lie off the
Venezuelan coast. Along the north of Trinidad runs the Northern Range
of mountains, looming over the country's capital, Port of Spain. South
of Port of Spain on the west coast the terrain is low, and the Caroni
Swamps contain a magnificent bird sanctuary largely inhabited by the
scarlet ibis. On the north and east coasts lie beautiful beaches.
Central Trinidad is flat and largely given over to agriculture.

Population:

1.3 million (UN estimate 2006).

language:

The official language is English. French, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese
are also spoken.

Climate:

The tropical climate is tempered by northeast trade winds. The dry
season is from November to May, but it is hottest between June and
October. The climate in Tobago is pleasant most of the year and
although May, June and July can be wet at times, the differentiation
between the wet and dry seasons is much less acute

Economy - overview:

The oil and gas industry has been the most important in Trinidad and
Tobago for some time. In the summer of 2003, Trinidad signed a
landmark agreement with nearby Venezuela, one of the world's largest
producers, to collaborate in all aspects of the oil and gas
industries. This should ensure the long-term future of the sector for
Trinidad. Apart from oil and gas, Trinidad has the world's largest
deposits of asphalt.

The non-oil industrial sector is concentrated in relatively new
industries established with oil and gas revenues, such as plastics and
electronics. The agricultural sector is small, with sugar cane,
coffee, cocoa and citrus fruits as the main commodities.

The government has also sought to address historic under-investment in
the tourism industry, a promising part of the economy which has
undergone steady growth. The islands now cater to about 400,000
visitors annually; the industry is worth about US$275 million to the
Trinidadian economy.

External debt has been substantially reduced. The economy grew by
around 12% in 2006, while unemployment fell to a record low of 5.9%.
Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the Caribbean trading bloc,
CARICOM.

Economy:

The oil and gas industry has been the most important in Trinidad and
Tobago for some time. In the summer of 2003, Trinidad signed a
landmark agreement with nearby Venezuela, one of the world's largest
producers, to collaborate in all aspects of the oil and gas
industries. This should ensure the long-term future of the sector for
Trinidad. Apart from oil and gas, Trinidad has the world's largest
deposits of asphalt.

The non-oil industrial sector is concentrated in relatively new
industries established with oil and gas revenues, such as plastics and
electronics. The agricultural sector is small, with sugar cane,
coffee, cocoa and citrus fruits as the main commodities.

The government has also sought to address historic under-investment in
the tourism industry, a promising part of the economy which has
undergone steady growth. The islands now cater to about 400,000
visitors annually; the industry is worth about US$275 million to the
Trinidadian economy.

External debt has been substantially reduced. The economy grew by
around 12% in 2006, while unemployment fell to a record low of 5.9%.
Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the Caribbean trading bloc,
CARICOM.